This is a rare case of delayed acute unilateral neck edema that developed during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO).

This case underscores the importance of considering a wide range of differential diagnoses for neck swelling and exploring other potential causes, as they may significantly affect both VV-ECMO management and the patient’s condition.

We would also like to emphasize the importance of venous outflow monitoring while draining from the SVC system, due to the unobvious possibility of developing an outflow obstruction and venous congestion, which could lead to secondary hemorrhagic complications.

In this case report, we present a late cannulation-related complication accompanied by unilateral neck edema that occurred on the second day after ECMO cannulation.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous peripheral cannulation is provided by ICU physicians at the bedside in our center.

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